Do you clean just visible areas and leave the invisible areas of your home? No right? Then why the impartiality for the oral cavity? You follow brushing your teeth strictly, but not flossing? Here, comes the importance of the flossing. Flossing is as important as brushing to maintain adequate oral hygiene. Even though the proximal areas of the teeth are invisible, they tend to harbour bacteria and thus the onset of the caries. Just like cleaning, the nook and corner of your home is important, so is the oral cavity.
Flossing is used to dislodge the food debris stuck between your two adjacent teeth. It is also used to remove the plaque which is inaccessible to regular brushing. This prevents the accumulation of the bacteria in the area between the teeth. According to the survey, more than half of the population does not floss. Flossing is very beneficial to prevent the gum diseases apart from the caries. Plaque is the source for the calculus to build up which in turn affects the gum. Flossing, not only removes plaque, but also prevents the calculus formation and thus, rendering healthy gum.
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Types of floss available:
There are variety of floss available in the market. One can choose the floss according to their interest or as recommended by the dentist. Floss are of the following types:
· Waxed floss: conventional floss coated with nylon. Also, available with the coating of polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE). Disposable and hence used only for once. Recommended in people with normal healthy gingiva.
· Unwaxed floss: conventional floss without the nylon coating. Recommendations same as for waxed floss. Disposable.
· Dental tape: compared to conventional waxed floss, it possesses a wider and flatter design. Recommendations same as for waxed floss. Disposable.
· Multitufted floss/braided/superfloss: resembles yarn with wider tufted part. Tip looks like threader. Recommended for patients with crowns and fixed dentures. Disposable.
· Floss holder: design consists of the handle with two prongs in F or Y shape. Recommended in patients who lack manual dexterity, or handicapped. Reusable with discarding of floss after each use.
· Floss threader: consists of nylon loop designed in such a way that it resembles a needle with big opening to thread floss. Recommended for people with healthy gums, braces, and dentures, crowns. Reusable with discarding of floss after each use.
· Threader tip floss: floss length with a committed threader tip. Recommendations same as for waxed floss. Disposable.
Floss are manufactured according to the different sizes, colours, and shapes for adults and children. Floss is generally dispensed in a box containing 10 to 100 metres of floss. It is also available in different flavours which helps in a refreshing breath. Electric floss also known as a water flosser can be used by the people who cannot master the normal floss.
How to use the floss?
For public without braces, the instructions are as follows:
Stand in front of the mirror. Take 18 inches (ca. 46 cm) of floss length from the box. Wind this floss to the middle finger of your hand followed by the middle finger of the opposite hand.
Hold it tight with the help of thumb and the index fingers. Guide the floss slowly between the areas of the two teeth. Do not snap. Glide it slowly in rubbing motion until it reaches the neck portion of the tooth. Gently curve the floss into C shape and slide it in up and down motion slowly. It helps in removing the plaque in the space between the gum and the tooth. Repeat it for all the teeth. Make sure you use fresh section of the floss for each tooth. Do not forget to floss the last tooth even though the access is difficult. Do not hurry as it may injure the gingiva.
If you are adorned with braces,
Ask your dentist to demonstrate the use of floss. Instructions are similar except the floss has to be threaded between the teeth and the main wire first and then gently guide it towards the gum line and remove it from other side of the tooth. Carefully unthread the floss from the main wire and care must be taken not to dislodge the wire.
In the nutshell:
Albeit the controversies regarding the efficacy of the floss is still present, it is commonly recommended by the dental hygienists to maintain the healthy gingiva. The American Dental Association recommends flossing for once and brushing twice a day for healthy oral cavity. Flossing also prevents other diseases which may be caused by the bacteria from the oral cavity such as infective endocarditis, halitosis etc. use 3MEDS-online pharmacy in India to order your prescription online.